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New Susan Doll Elvis Book In The Making

Publications International will soon be releasing a 3 pack book set by Susan Doll. Professor Doll's Elvis book releases are renowned as being among the best there are according to the update from Bill Burk. Susan Doll holds a Ph.D. in film studies from the Radio, Television, Film Department of Northwestern University. Her books include "Understanding Elvis", "The Films of Elvis Presley" and "Best of Elvis".

Greg: I have this book and refer to it from time to time. As you say it's written for the general fan not the FANatic. Somewhere in the book there's a quote something along the lines of it being more fruitful to enjoy what Elvis left us instead of always lammenting missed opportunities. That's advice that everyone (especially FANatics) should heed. And not just where the movie years are concerned.

Oh, I tend to agree, but as I wrote, " it is geared to the novice fan at a reasonably budget price. " The only plus is that she betrays actually knowing a thing or two about Elvis, unlike the text in most general audience books.

I have the original edition (1991) of this book and it's actually pretty well done, even if it is geared to the novice fan at a reasonably budget price. I think in the US, it's found in places like Borders or Barnes & Noble. Given how much the bar has been raised, I would assume she'd add a lot to her 16-years-later update. Along with interesting tidbits, her analysis of the movies is interesing and fresh, and I find I like to flip a look at the Elvis movie I've just watched or will watch just to get her take on it.

By the way, it was forgotten in the write-up, but Professor Doll, who writes in a down-to-earth manner despite her pedigree, also wrote informed liner notes for RCA's two-CD (and too-often maligned) "Command Performances: Essential '60s Masters II" movie set from 1995. To her credit, she's one of the few out there who seems to geniunely enjoy the Elvis movie legacy, and yes, take it seriously.